2 Samuel 19:1-8

Modern English Version

19 It was reported to Joab that the king was weeping and mourning over Absalom. ² The victory that day was turned into mourning for all of the people, for the people heard that day, “The king is grieving for his son.” ³ So the people entered the city by stealth that day, as a people who have been disgraced steal away when they flee from battle. ⁴ The king covered his face and called with a loud voice, “My son Absalom, my son, my son!”

⁵ Then Joab came to the king in his house and said, “Today you have shamed the faces of all of your servants who saved your life today, as well as the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines, ⁶ by loving those who hated you and hating those who love you. You have shown today that commanders and servants are nothing to you. I know that if Absalom were alive instead today and all of us were dead, then this would be right in your eyes. ⁷ Now go out and speak reassuringly to your servants, for I swear by the Lord that if you do not go out, no man will stay with you this night, and this will be worse for you than any calamity that has come against you from your youth until now.”

⁸ So the king arose and took his seat in the gate, and the people were all told, “The king is sitting in the gate.” So all the people came before the king, but the children of Israel had fled, each to his tent.